Pumpkins

Turns out my crazy runaway squash plant wasn't even a squash plant. Well, I guess a pumpkin is a squash, but not the kind that I thought it was. I'm very glad that the mystery is solved. Apparently late last fall when fall turned into winter before we were ready "we" took the pumpkins off the front porch and threw them into the garden so that we could put up Christmas decorations. Fast forward to spring and it seems that one of those pumpkins must have rotted away and .self planted a little seed. When Alan and I were cleaning out the garden last week we found two cute but still very green little pumpkins. They were hidden so well even the squirrels couldn't find them. I've finally gotten to the bottom of my bushel of apples. the bowl above is all that's left. That $7.00 bushel made 3 quarts of applesauce, 12 jars of apple butter, 12 apple turnovers, 20 pumpkin/apple muffins and 3 quart size bags of sliced apples waiting in the freezer ready  to be turned into crisps or pies. I'd say I got my monies worth wouldn't you? Feels like fall here in Kentucky and I'm loving it.
Sally

Apples

While I was visiting with my Dad in NC, we took a trip to the Greensboro Farmers Market. We had breakfast at the Moose Cafe and then walked through the produce barn. I bought a bushel of apples for $7.00. I was going to just get a couple of pounds but it was actually cheaper to buy a huge box.  The apples that I got are not the prettiest but they made some delicious apple sauce and today I am making a bunch of apple butter to can. We have been running low on homemade jam and that always makes me nervous, plus cooking it makes the house smell so good.
Sally

Where Do I Start?

Since I last posted, so much has happened and so few pictures have been taken. What can I say? I'll do my best to catch you up, just know that there are going to be gaps. Alan completed his Bike Ride to Beat Cancer. He didn't really ride 100 miles like the sign says, He did the 70 mile ride, but I'm sure with all of the hills and the wind it felt like 100. Don't you love his fancy shirt? He's getting ready to run a half marathon next weekend. Who knew I was married to such an athlete? I'm doing my best to keep my Fit Bit happy by trying to walk 10,000 steps a day, and let me tell you that is challenge enough for me.

On September 24th my sweet Dad had some what was supposed to be minor back surgery. I got to spend a week in Greensboro taking care of him. The surgery was called an X-Stop and it was to release some nerve compression in his spine which was causing him significant pain and weakness in his legs. The surgery went well and he is pain free now. He did experience some complications which are on going and will hopefully be resolved soon. As a result of the complications I got to spend another weekend in North Carolina. That 8 hour drive is very long, but this time of year driving through the mountains was absolutely beautiful. I'd make that drive for my Dad any day.

David has been with us here in Louisville since the end of September. He is really enjoying his away rotation at the U of L hospital emergency room. He's here for one more week and then he heads to Lexington KY for another rotation at the University there. He's gearing up for the start of residency interviews. We bought him a new suit yesterday and let me just say, it makes him look very spiffy.

Grace continues to love almost everything about her Cambodian adventure. She's still in her acclimation phase where she is supposed to be integrating herself into the community. She is teaching a couple of informal English classes and will begin her "real" work in November.
That pretty well catches you up on all of our goings on.
I hope you all have been enjoying Autumn and making happy memories.
Sally

Runaway Squash Plant

My garden is pretty much finished for the year. I really need to get in there and pull all the dead stuff out, but I wanted to share my crazy squash story with you first. You may or may not remember from past years that I have been totally unsuccessful growing squash here in Louisville. For 3 summers I tried and was always so disappointed. The plants would grow and produce tons of flowers, but some mystery something or other would eat the flowers before they could actually make squash. I  tried every spray, powder, suggestion to no avail. So, this year I decided not to bother. I did not plant a single squash seed or plant. Imagine my surprise when out of the far corner of my little raised bed, up popped a squash plant. Crazy. I decided to just let it do it's thing and boy did it. I don't think you can really tell from the pictures, but it has pretty much taken over the left half of the garden. Did I get any squash from it? you might be asking. No. not a one. I thought I might get a couple. They were there one day and then totally gone the next. I wish I knew who or what seems to like squash as much as I do. Alan says it's the dog, but I'm pretty sure it's squirrels or chipmunks, I just haven't been able to catch them in the act. .Next year no squash will be allowed to invade. I think I will make room for blueberries and strawberries.
Sally

Tis the Season

 Oh my goodness! Fall has now officially arrived in Louisville. Trader Joe's if full of all things PUMPKIN. I didn't even buy one of everything, because I thought the cashier might make fun of me. I don't know how they keep coming up with new ideas. For breakfast this morning I enjoyed a pumpkin bagel with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. What a way to start the day. I can't wait to try the pumpkin croissants this weekend. If you could only see the smile on my face. I've held off bringing all of my fall decorations up from the basement, but I did buy the FALL pillow in the first picture and unpacked my fall quilts to give Alan a little hint of what's to come. Hopefully the weather stays cool. and crisp and perfect. Hope you are enjoying September as much as I am.
Sally

Spinning Summer Into Fall

Way back in May when summer was just getting started, I purchased this fiber. The pencil roving interested me because it looked like it might be easy to spin and because I loved the colors. The golds, browns and greens reminded me of fall leaves. I put the fiber aside and spun more "summer" like things until about 3 weeks ago. We had a bit of a "cold" snap here and out came the "fall" fiber. Since then Mother Nature decided that maybe summer wasn't quite over and the 90's returned to Louisville. Really? But, fall is back and my fiber is now yarn and I'm ready to start knitting something beautiful.
Sally

Can You Believe That It's Already September?

Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We drove down to Tennessee with my Dad to visit with family. We had a great time in Memphis, well actually Colierville with Alan's Mom, his brother Paul, his wife Lisa and our nieces Jessica and Rachel. Mary Ann has recently moved into a retirement home there and after visiting, I kinda wish that I could move in with her. It's a beautiful facility with lots fun things going on all the time. Of course I forgot to take any pictures. Thank goodness Lisa is a stickler for that and kindly sent us a few. My Dad stayed in Trenton with my Uncle Henry and Aunt Trudy and from the sound of it they had a wonderful time too. Alan and I spent one night with my cousin Charles and his wife Robin. There was a big family get together at their house and we talked our selves silly. The weather could have been  better, but a little rain and heat didn't stop us from having a great time. Now we are home and fall is just starting to kick in. I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte the other day and really enjoyed it until Alan told me that it contained 4 days worth of sugar. Does he know how to spoil a good thing or what? The leaves are starting to fall off the trees as well as those stupid acorns that give me fits every year. Football is on the TV and I'm thinking about making a pot of chili so you know it must be autumn. I sure enjoyed the summer, but fall is my favorite season and I plan on enjoying it even more.
Sally